Confessions of a Type A Mama & a stylebabyLOG giveaway!

December 9, 2011

Motherhood has been a very good thing for my Type A personality. VERY good. Over the years I’ve spent plenty of time trying to “let it go” but nothing worked quite as well as having a baby. Nope. Nothin’ at all. Why? Because you can’t shove your baby into your Type A box, wrap it up with perfect corners & throw on a pretty (color coordinating) bow!

Organization & routine are two things that I value at the top of my life priorities list. I am soothed & at peace when everything is in order. BUT…we all know that babies and toddlers bring with them a new definition of “order.” Over the last two and a half years there have been things that I have fought hard to keep (a tidy living room, clean bedrooms & spotless kitchen counters) and a few that I have let go (laundry not always done, toys–in baskets–in every room, and just a clean-ish floor). I have learned that as pretty as the books looked organized by color on the bookshelf, the stress I felt when she took one down–out of place– to [gasp] read was not worth the effort to keep them in their right place. Books on the bookshelf? CHECK. Books in rainbow order? NOT GONNA HAPPEN.

So where do we hold strong & where do we let go? That is a very personal question, and has an answer only we can decide for ourselves. My #1 sanity-saving decision was implementing a solid routine in my home. I love routine. I thrive on it & so does my family. Part of the reason I have been able to wear so many hats (as a mama, small business owner turned entrepreneur, blogger, military physician’s wife, friend, etc.) is the implementation of a solid routine. My daughter doesn’t question when things happen–she knows when they do. I don’t wonder what each day is going to look like–there is a plan. We get up, eat, sleep and work at just about the same time each day, and that brings me great comfort–and even joy. So how do we get there? How do we reach that place of peace?

For each person, there is a different answer. For me, it started with having a clear, but flexible plan for my newborn. I recently wrote about newborn/infant routine & scheduling over on my blog. It was a HUGE part of my ability to feel human during the first few challenging months of motherhood. One key part of how I stayed sane and organized is the stylebabyLOG, a product that I created.

While pregnant with my daughter, I searched everywhere for a baby log. I wanted something simple & easy to use that gave me a bird’s eye view of an entire week, making it easy to spot patterns in my baby’s sleep schedule. Though I love technology, I wanted this to be paper. Finding nothing to suit my needs, I decided to make one myself…no surprise there! Once I shared the finished product on my blog, I was inundated with requests from mamas wanting a blank copy of their own. Clearly I was not the only one looking for something like this! So, I put the plan into action & now (as I start my third trimester with baby number two!) my stylebabyLOGs are available for purchase online.Thanks to our solid household routine, this dream project has become a reality & I am so excited to be sharing it with you! I have my entire original stylebabyLOG (complete with my newborn notes from weeks 1-40+) published over on my blog, so you can see just how I used mine in real life. Not only is it a great tool for organized mamas who are home with their kiddos, but it is an exceptionally wonderful way to keep track of what happens at home if you are a working mama & leave your baby with another caregiver during the day. It also makes a really great shower gift–for those uber organized gals in your life. Here’s a look at the stylebabyLOG up close:

To enter: Leave a comment here with your #1 tip for staying organized after baby.

Contest will end at 11:59PM on Wednesday, December 14.

** This giveaway is now closed. **

Despite days full of washing diapers & messy fun, Shawna is determined to make mommyhood a stylish adventure. Married to the military & mother to one feisty girl, she is a passionate DIYer & loves sharing how to make the complicated simple. Shawna talks creativity, style, food, decorating, green-chic living & mommyhood at styleberryBLOG, a daily-ish dose of something fab.
To read all articles written by Shawna, click here.

About Shawna

Despite days full of washing diapers & messy fun, Shawna is determined to make mommyhood a stylish adventure. Married to the military & mother to one feisty girl and a snuggly little dude, she is a passionate DIYer & loves sharing how to make the complicated simple. Shawna talks creativity, style, food, decorating, green-chic living & mommyhood at styleberryBLOG, a daily-ish dose of something fab.

oh yaay love it!!! lets see, i am also a type A personality and now with 3 kids under my belt i rarely even MAKE a to-do list because i cannot ever seem to find it once it is written! Life has changed so much. But, one little thing that helped me the most in the first year… and still does to day… is this quote by Charles Bridges:

“Take one step at a time, every step under divine warrant and direction. Ever plan for yourself in simple dependence on God. It is nothing less than self-idolatry to conceive that we can carry on even the ordinary matters of the day without His counsel. He loves to be consulted.”

I think slowing down and prayerfully consulting the Lord not only in the big things you don’t know how to handle but also in the small things is essential, because when raising children, the little, mundane things are what end up being the most valuable. xo

Teresa

I think my organizational tip after baby would be to use nap times wisely! New babies really do sleep a lot in the first few months during the day (at least mine did) and that can be a very productive time to accomplish keeping yourself organized
Love the stylebabylog & would love even more to have one! Thanks for the giveaway!

Carolyn Vannatta

From one Type A to another…My first baby is due Jan. 24 and this would be a wonderful tool! Thank you for the giveaway.

Meghan

Oh my gosh!!! You are right up my alley!!! This is amazing…I could relate to so many of your thoughts at the beginning of this post! I would love to have this as we are due with our third in May! Perfect timing….
I guess my organizational tip after baby would be to stock pile frozen meals before hand, so that the freezer is full with things to just pull out, when cooking can be so hard with a new baby…

cathy

I kept a log of sleep & activities for the first 3 months for each of my kids. My 4th baby is only 3 months old & I would love to use this organizer. I thrive on routine & so do my children.

Jenn Fader

You are completely right about getting into a routine. Personally, learning that going anywhere takes 3 times as much effort and time was something I had to plan for.

Heather

I don’t have any tips because I’m pregnant with my first! Sound like I need this organizer!

Nicole

My baby is only 3 weeks old, but the biggest thing that has helped me the most was being organized before he was born. If at all possible (I know some babies come early), have the house clean and everything organized before baby arrives. So afterwards when you come home with that little bundle of joy, you will have a some time before you have to think about cleaning and you will know where everything is!!

Carron

Keeping it simple. I’ve decluttered my whole life since having children (now they are 7,4,1 and we’re expecting one more) but I’ve certainly learned that LESS IS MORE Small is the new BIG!! Truthfully, I don’t have time to keep everything clean & washed & sparkly, so I decided that if I had less on my plate, I could manage better. Good luck, I’m enjoying your blog!

Meg Baldwin09

I don’t have any awesome organizing advice for new moms, since I’m having my first in may. But – I would think that a routine/plan for the day would be super beneficial. Also, I’ve heard that making and freezing meals ahead of time and having them organized in your freezer takes away so much stress and you always have food! Or, having a friend organize people to bring you meals every other day has worked great for all the moms I know.

Lauren

I have a routine cleaning schedule that I go through each day to keep things tidy. I use baskets to organize everything from baby toys, to books, to mail, to cloth diapers on her changing table. I do the same things everyday which makes scheduling doctor’s appointments, play dates, etc much easier.

Candace

My tip would be that although it’s admirable to power through struggles, when it comes to those early days, you should ask for help when you need it! Sleep deprivation + hormones are enough for you to deal with.

Ashley Noelle

Wow! We don’t yet have children but I am so impressed with this! It’d be a good thing to keep on hand for when the time comes or to give as a gift!

Aubrey K

I have been looking for the best way to stay organized since having my first baby and this looks amazing! Not sure I have many tips yet, but my little one loves to be close so we do baby wearing all the time!

Amber

Simplify! Have a few high quality toys/baby items and have a defined space for each item. Don’t have more things than you have room for.

Dana

Baskets! I have a pretty basket in the corner of all of our most used rooms and during nap time and at the end of the day all the toys, blankets, teethers, etc., get put in a basket. It’s fast, I don’t have to think about it, and it gets all the “stuff” contained.

Amy L

Having a flexible routine was a lifesaver for me!

Shalini Kaiser

In the early days,just trying to have a semblance of a routine and accepting help was a sanity-saver.

Diannerose

I don’t have a baby, yet, it’s still cooking! I’m frantically trying to get ready and trying to keep organized and become prepared. I’ve started putting things into wicker baskets. Remotes, game controllers, even unmatched socks. It’s helping keep the clutter down and make the house look nice!

Kellykuntz

To help me stay organized I start the day with a post-it to do list so I have a clear plan for what I want to get done that day. Even if it is nothing monumental having things crossed off my list makes me realize I did accomplish something.

Denae K

#1 Tip: Keep it simple. Baby only needs 4 things… food, clean diaper, sleep, and love. Dont get bogged down with the latest it gadgets and tons of toys. We rotate out 5 toys at a time and give Elena lots of one-on-one time. Daddy and puppy (the real one) are her favorite toys. She doesnt need much more.

MicahMarie

I just had a newborn and this will be a GREAT tool! I have been keeping track in a notebook, but love the organization and simplicity of this. Especially when I am feeling so sleep deprived it will make it easy to see the day and week at a glance. Love it!

http://mtn-momma.blogspot.com/ Lisa

The only thing capable of keeping me on track is my planner! I keep everything in there!! I make myself notes, I keep track of household expenses, and (of course) it helps me remember where I am supposed to be (and at what time).

Emily W.

Implementing babywise and having a weekly schedule for house cleaning and laundry so I knew what needed to be accomplished each day instead of getting overwhelmed with the task of cleaning the entire house. It left a few rooms more untidy than I would have liked pre-baby, but it’s still clean!

Nikki

I use a hand written calander. I know its pretty old school but i have to jot everything down to feel like I have it booked in my schedule!

Jessica

I kept a log of babies eat, sleep, and wake times, but it wasn’t near as organized as the stylebabyLOG! With baby #2 I will be able to see the big picture of our days with the LOG. I can’t wait to take that organization up a notch!!
Thanks Shawna!

Heather

Google calendar, toy baskets, and simply REFUSING to have too many toys in my house!

Meredith Ryncarz

The 5 minute room clean-up, storage bins everywhere, and Apple iCal! I so needed a log like this though cause I did mine on a computer or notebook paper! Blech! I so needed one of these with my son!

Tessa

Due in just 2 or so weeks with my first, I’m looking forward to a stylebaby log to help keep me organized ; )

Kelley T

We did the Babywise method to get my som on a schedule. I loved knowing that I could nurse and then go out of the house for however long we were up to at the time before we needed to nurse again. I have friends that nurse on demand. That would drive me crazy! He just turned 2 and we also have a daily schedule. It’s wonderful!!! It helps daddy when he gets home from work, too, because he already knows what we did all day!

Megan

Mine, like you was routine and schedule. If I hadn’t done that I wouldn’t have been able to feed my daughter exclusively breast milk via pumping. So many people told me that it wouldn’t work to exclusively pump but I proved them wrong by being extremely disciplined and scheduled with my pumping sessions.

Christina

When my first baby was born I had visions of being able to do it all myself, but soon realized that being a full-time working mom is just plain hard work! So my tip for staying organized is: ask for help! My husband, after some careful instruction, is now the dedicated laundry doer in our house because mama just doesn’t have enough hours in the day to tackle every little thing anymore.

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